[T-lymphocyte precursor count in the thymus and the development of lymphomas in AKR/J-strain mice].

The content of T-cell precursors is increased in the thymus of AKR/J mice. Thymus also contains cells carrying markers of pre-T (SC-1-antigen) and T-(Thy-1-antigen) cells simultaneously. The level of SC-1+-cells grows just before the lymphoma appearance in the AKR/J thymus. Lymphoma cells express both SC-1 and Thy-1-antigens, i. e. they are a transitional form between pre-T- and T-cells. It is suggested that accumulation of SC-1+-Thy-1+ cells in the mouse thymus is an essential condition for the development of virus-induced lymphomas.